Shafaqna Pakistan: A woman armed with knives stabbed two people in New York’s crowded Times Square on Monday, killing one and seriously injuring another before police shot and killed the attacker.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the incident during a press conference, saying the surviving victim was being treated in hospital and remained in stable condition.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens and said she had a known history of mental health issues. According to Tisch, Cisneros pulled two large knives from a bag carrying the logo of a major supermarket chain and began threatening people in the busy tourist area in broad daylight.
Police said Cisneros then attacked a 68-year-old man, stabbing him in the abdomen. About 20 seconds later, she allegedly approached a 32-year-old woman and stabbed her in the abdomen as well. The woman later succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities have withheld the victims’ identities until their families have been notified.
Police quickly intervened and tried to persuade Cisneros to drop her weapons. “The officers engaged the woman in dialogue for four minutes and gave her numerous commands to drop the knives, which she refused,” Tisch said.
“During the encounter, she told the officers, ‘I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you,'” Tisch added.
One witness told local TV outlet PIX11 that the suspect had two knives in her hands and was tased by police before she rushed at officers. “They shot her twice,” said the unnamed witness.
Police confirmed that they had unsuccessfully used a stun gun before firing their handguns.
Local news reports said the suspect was prounounced dead at hospital.
Tisch said that they do not believe the attack was terror-related. “This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world,” the police chief said.
“At any given moment, there are 1000s of New Yorkers, commuters, tourists, families, workers moving through these streets.”
An AFP journalist at the scene saw a large emergency services presence and officials inspecting a patch of blood in Times Square.
Source: Express Tribune
